Ad Hoc Group Against Crime will soon break ground on a new $6 million Center for Healing and Justice at the corner of 31st and Benton Blvd in KC’s Santa Fe neighborhood.
The 8,800-square-foot, two-story facility will provide expanded services for families affected by violence and crime, with construction scheduled to begin this month.
The project removes three blighted vacant lots—donated by The Hope Center—and replaces them with a modern facility designed to complement the surrounding architecture while symbolizing hope and community investment.
The project, located across from the Leon Jordan Memorial Park, received $2 million in Central City Economic Development (CCED) funding as part of the organization’s effort to establish a stronger presence in Kansas City’s urban core. Additional funding comes from $2.1 million in foundation pledges, $150,000 in donor support, and $1.7 million in new market tax credits.
“We are passionate about the AdHoc Center for Healing and Justice because we believe in the transformative power of design,” said Pete Sloan of HOK, the project’s architect. “This crucial project will serve as a trusted bridge between the community and the criminal justice system, empower Adhoc Group Against Crime to continue their essential work, and stand as a beacon of hope for the community.”
Founded in 1977 by Alvin Brooks, Ad Hoc has long served as a liaison between the community and law enforcement, focusing on violence intervention and prevention in Kansas City’s most affected neighborhoods.
“Ad Hoc Group Against Crime’s Center for Healing and Justice strives to deliver much-needed socio-economic and mental health services that provide stability to underserved families and communities in the Kansas City metropolitan area,” said Damon Daniel, president of Ad Hoc Group Against Crime.
The new center will feature a community hall, office spaces, consultation rooms, a training facility, and an outdoor patio. JE Dunn Construction will serve as the general contractor, with construction expected to take approximately 12 months for a spring 2026 completion.
The building addresses a critical need in an area that historically has a large percentage of the city’s homicides.
“The burden of violence and homicides are shouldered by communities of color,” said Daniel. “Neglecting that harm perpetuates racial injustice and compromises the goals of diversity and shared prosperity.”
Ad Hoc currently serves about 700 families annually through its healing and justice-focused programs. The organization hopes the new facility will allow them to help many more families each year by expanding their services directly in the communities most affected by violence.
Jeff Blaesing, Senior Vice President and Kansas City Office Director of JE Dunn, emphasized the project’s community impact.
“Community projects like this are the lifeblood of our neighborhood, fostering unity, creativity, and resilience,” said Blaesing. “Collaborations with organizations like AdHoc amplify our impact, ensuring that together we build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.”
The center’s ‘healing’ services will include grief counseling, neighborhood canvassing, prayer vigils, survivor care, and a 24-hour community hotline. ‘Justice’ services will feature cognitive behavioral therapy, healthy relationship classes, victim policy advocacy, and employment readiness programs.
Ad Hoc plans to integrate itself into the Santa Fe Neighborhood by providing free services to residents, including crime prevention assessments, meeting space, and workforce development programs.
Often described as “Kansas City’s social service emergency room,” Ad Hoc will use the new facility to strengthen its position as what Daniel calls “the trusted bridge between the community and law enforcement.”
